The Ultimate Martin Scorsese Quiz

Martin Scorsese is undoubtedly one of the greatest American film directors of his generation, and you can make a plausible argument that he's one of the greatest directors, period. You've probably watched "Goodfellas" six times, but this quiz will challenge your knowledge of his entire filmography, the actors he's worked with and the methods he uses to create his films.

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Question 1 of 30

What was Scorsese's first feature film?

"Who's That Knocking at My Door"

"Who's That Knocking at My Door" was Scorsese's first feature, released in 1967.

"Mean Streets"

"Taxi Driver"

Question 2 of 30

What was the title of the documentary Scorsese filmed depicting the farewell performance of The Band?

"Shine a Light"

"Moondog Matinee"

"The Last Waltz"

"The Last Waltz" combined footage of the concert, interviews, Thanksgiving dinner for the audience and studio performances.

Question 3 of 30

What actor did Scorsese work with eight times on films like "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull" and "Casino"?

Harvey Keitel

Robert De Niro

As of 2016, Scorsese has worked with Robert De Niro more times than any other actor.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Question 4 of 30

"Mean Streets" was the first Scorsese movie to deal with a theme he'd turn to several more times. What is the theme?

life in and around Mafia crime families

Several of Scorsese's films depict criminals and cops with unclear morality, with a focus on Italian-Americans and the Mafia.

sex workers encountering obstacles as they try to break away from their past lives

the allure and danger of street racing

Question 5 of 30

In "Taxi Driver," when De Niro says the famous "you talkin' to me?" line, who is he talking to?

himself, in the mirror

He's talking to himself, practicing using his quick-draw sleeve gun in the mirror.

the secret service agent trying to apprehend him at the rally

Sport, Iris' pimp

Question 6 of 30

What two television series did Scorsese direct the pilot episodes of?

"Breaking Bad" and "Penny Dreadful"

"Boardwalk Empire" and "Vinyl"

The first episode of "Boardwalk Empire," which Scorsese directed, cost $18 million. He also directed the first episode of "Vinyl."

"Oz" and "The Sopranos"

Question 7 of 30

What is the name of the corrupt investment firm in "The Wolf of Wall Street"?

Stratton Oakmont

The name Stratton Oakmont was created to make them sound like a venerable, distinguished firm when they were really scam artists.

Bentley Finnegan

Stuart, McElroy & Garner

Question 8 of 30

Scorsese was offered a chance to direct "Boxcar Bertha" by what legendary low-budget director/producer?

The novel "The Executioners" was adapted into what Scorsese movie (the second time it was adapted)?

"Casino"

"Cape Fear"

"Cape Fear," starring De Niro as a vengeful ex-con, is based on "The Executioners."

"Shutter Island"

Question 10 of 30

What is protagonist Sam Rothstein's occupation at the beginning and end of "Casino"?

sports handicapper

Sam works in the illegal sports betting business, setting over-under and point spreads, known as handicapping.

casino bouncer

used car salesman

Question 11 of 30

What Scorsese movie stars Nicolas Cage and Ving Rhames as paramedics dealing with a drug epidemic in New York?

"Street Scenes"

"The Departed"

"Bringing Out the Dead"

"Bringing Out the Dead" is a gloomy, intense movie that was a critical success and financial failure.

Question 12 of 30

"Raging Bull" is a fictionalized account of what boxer's life?

Joe Frazier

Jake LaMotta

"Raging Bull" is based on Jake LaMotta's autobiography.

Primo Carnera

Question 13 of 30

How did Scorsese emphasize the feelings of exhaustion, isolation and despair in the fights where LaMotta wasn't doing well?

He filmed the fights using extremely distant camera angles.

He filmed the fights in a dark, empty studio.

He filmed the fights in a boxing ring of exaggerated size.

The extra-large boxing ring gives some of the fights a surreal quality.

Question 14 of 30

What is notable about the scene in "Goodfellas" in which Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco walk into the Copacabana restaurant and nightclub?

It's a single unedited tracking shot that's more than three minutes long.

The Copacabana scene is known for being a single tracking shot with no edits.

Actual New York mobsters were in the club at the time the scene was shot.

Much of the background of the scene was computer generated, the first time such technology had been used in a major film.

Question 15 of 30

What movie won Scorsese his only Oscar for best director?

"Goodfellas"

"The Departed"

After five nominations, Scorsese finally won for "The Departed" in 2007.

"Raging Bull"

Question 16 of 30

What Scorsese movie was shot in 3-D?

"The Aviator"

"Shutter Island"

"Hugo"

"Hugo" is a drama with fantasy elements about a boy who lives in a train station.

Question 17 of 30

What movie was the first collaboration between Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio?

"The Age of Innocence"

"Gangs of New York"

DiCaprio first worked with Scorsese playing Amsterdam Vallon in "Gangs of New York."

"The Aviator"

Question 18 of 30

What is the name of the book "Goodfellas" is adapted from?

"In No Uncertain Terms"

"The Family"

"Wiseguy"

Nicholas Pileggi's book is called "Wiseguy." He also co-wrote the screenplay.

Question 19 of 30

What Scorsese film was heavily protested and remains banned in some countries even today?

"The Last Temptation of Christ"

Christian groups protested "The Last Temptation of Christ" because its depiction of Jesus Christ as a human man with doubts and failures conflicts with the Bible. A theater showing the film in Paris was firebombed.

"Goodfellas"

"The Departed"

Question 20 of 30

In what movie does Joe Pesci deliver his "funny how? Like funny like I'm a clown? How am I funny?" line?

"Goodfellas"

The line was improvised in rehearsals for "Goodfellas" and written into the script.

"Casino"

"Mean Streets"

Question 21 of 30

"The King of Comedy" stars what famous comedian from the 1950s, '60s and '70s?

Lenny Bruce

Jerry Lewis

Robert De Niro's character stalks Jerry Lewis, who plays a comedian and talk show host.

Mel Brooks

Question 22 of 30

"New York, New York" stands out from the rest of Scorsese's filmography for what reason?

It's the only Scorsese movie to lose money at the box office.

It's a musical.

"New York, New York" did lose money, but it's not the only Scorsese movie to do so. It is, however, his only musical (not counting documentaries about musicians and concert films).

It's a stage play that was shot live in front of an audience.

Question 23 of 30

What is "The Color of Money" about?

a young man rising through the ranks of the Mafia

pool hustlers

"The Color of Money" stars Paul Newman and Tom Cruise as pool hustlers.

corrupt Wall Street investors

Question 24 of 30

The setting of "Shutter Island" is …

an abandoned orphanage

a World War II munitions bunker

a mental hospital

The Ashecliffe Hospital, located on Shutter Island, is a place for the confinement and treatment of the criminally insane.

Question 25 of 30

In "The Aviator," Leonardo DiCaprio portrays what wealthy inventor, filmmaker and businessman?

Howard Hughes

"The Aviator" is about Howard Hughes, who enjoyed tremendous success in the aviation industry but suffered from mental illness.

Nelson Rockefeller

Vincent Astor

Question 26 of 30

Ellen Burstyn won the best actress Oscar for her role in what Scorsese movie?

"The Departed"

"After Hours"

"Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore"

She took home the Oscar for "Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore," released in 1974.

Question 27 of 30

What Scorsese movie was John Hinckley Jr. obsessed with, inspiring his attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan?

"Taxi Driver"

Hinckley thought assassinating the president would impress Jodie Foster, who portrayed a prostitute in "Taxi Driver."

"Mean Streets"

"Goodfellas"

Question 28 of 30

What rock star was cast as Pontius Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ"?

David Bowie

Paramount abandoned "The Last Temptation of Christ" in 1983. By the time Scorsese managed to get the film underway again, many roles had to be recast, including the role of Pontius Pilate, which went to David Bowie.

Mick Jagger

Peter Gabriel

Question 29 of 30

"No Direction Home" is a documentary about the early career of what iconic musician and songwriter?